Wolf awoke in the morning. He glanced over to see Tiger off in thought. This was a rare sight indeed, Tiger thinking? What a terrifying thought. Tiger was enough of a handful without him thinking, if he actually started to think, Wolf might have more than he can handle.

“Morning.” He called to Tiger, starting to stand up and then stretch as the warmth of the sun began to wash over him.

“Morning.” Tiger replied, more quietly than he had ever before. He was still shook with how close they had lost Dragon, and so was Wolf.

Wolf made his way to the nearby river to wash up, deep in thought himself. The memory of the fight flashed through his mind. Even with the third gate, his opponent was able to clash with him. Wolf had taken the initiative and had continued his assault. Though within the twelfth strike, the large man had managed to draw the assault to a halt. Then the technique that had followed caused Wolf to fly back against a tree.

The Ro the man held was a large amount. If Wolf had been at his best… no, not even then could he have beaten them. Wolf washed his face and stared down at his reflection. His face was still stern, the natural glare within his eyes stared back at him. He reached down and felt the water trickling through his fingers.

‘I’ve been in the martial world this entire time… Tiger and Dragon are relying on me…’ His lips pulled downwards for once. He clenched his fist into the water. ‘We need to head to the springs.’

Wolf stood up, staring down at the river still. Once his eyes held a steely resolve, he turned.

Dragon was finally up, clutching at his side. Wolf could smell blood emanating from Dragon, but could see that the blood had stopped long ago.

“Are you well?” Wolf asked. He took Dragon’s silence as an affirmation.

“We need to head to the springs.” Wolf said, glancing between the pair.

“The springs?” Tiger asked from behind. Tiger’s mouth opened to speak, but he spent a moment to think and shut his mouth. He looked off into the distance.

Dragon remained silent as well.

Then Tiger spoke up. “Yeah, sounds like a plan to me.”

The three of them continued to travel through the land with the day passing by uneventfully. At one rest stop, Tiger left for a moment and Wolf went to check on Dragon. He checked Dragon’s wounds and then went to go check on Tiger.

He walked over to find Tiger punching various trees. Wolf could see the frustration within those fists of his. Wolf waited until Tiger finally had enough of his task. Tiger was panting when he stopped, his knuckles trickling with hot, wet blood.

Wolf called out. “You’re angry.”

“You could tell?” Tiger chuckled, though it wasn’t a playful chuckle like normal. This chuckle held something within it that Wolf hadn’t heard from Tiger in so long.

Wolf paused for a moment. “Do you think it’s your fault?” There was an awkward silence between them for a moment.

Tiger didn’t meet Wolf’s eyes when he spoke. “Of course it’s my fault. I wasn’t strong enough.”

“I’m not talking about Dragon.”

“Me neither.” Tiger whispered.

Wolf bowed his head. ‘Even now…’ They hadn’t spoken about it since they met each other. It was something that haunted Tiger to this day, that much was evident. It was part of the reason why Tiger retired from the martial world. That… and the death of his master.

“Wolf…” Tiger turned to face him finally, meeting Wolf’s eyes. “What do I do?”

Wolf looked deep within Tiger’s eyes. They were looking at him for guidance, Tiger had always looked to him for help, but this time… Did Wolf even know the answer? Wolf clenched his fists. ‘Tiger…’ What was he to say?

“Once we head to the springs…” Wolf then turned. He needed to think about the statement for a little longer.

Wolf returned to see Dragon had fallen asleep. The pair were nearby in case anything were to happen. This time, nothing would be able to sneak up on them. Wolf leaned against the tree and waited, letting Tiger stew in his thoughts.